Archive for January 27th, 2017

Illinois Black Caucus member’s held a press conference to respond to Governor Rauner’s State of the State Address.

In what proved to be the highlight of an otherwise redundant State of the State Address day, in a show of unity, members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus faced the governor’s office for a scathing press conference. The Illinois Black Caucus is a collection of black legislators from both the House of Representatives and Senate.

Members voiced disappointment and pointed out the lack of solutions that plagued the governor’s speech. There was no clearer message than that of Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood), who also chairs the joint Illinois Legislative Black Caucus: “I really feel like the governor avoided our real problems and didn’t offer up any solutions.”

The caucus has continued to focus on social justice, equitable access to education for students and social service funding for our most vulnerable population. The caucus fights for these causes while advocating for responsible fiscal management on behalf of state government without saddling these vulnerable populations with an undue financial burden.

Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights), chairwoman of the Senate Revenue Committee and Senate Black Caucus, spoke about the importance of revenue and how it contributes to a balance budget. “It is a fact that none of the goals that any of us have can happened with an $11 million in backlog of bills or a $4.5 million deficit.”

Chairwoman of the House Black Caucus, Representative Camille Lilly also offered her take on the Governor’s leadership.

“Illinois has gone without a budget for far too long. This is unacceptable and we must work together to ensure that we provide relief to Illinois families that have suffered as a result of this impasse. Passing a budget continues to be a top priority of the Black Caucus.

Representative Chris Welch (D-Hillside) challenged the Governor to consider listening to the people affected by his austerity measures.

“We will continue fighting for a state budget that protects vital services and the middle class. I share thousands of families across the state’s frustration about the stalemate going on in Springfield, but I refuse to support an agenda that hurts families. I encourage the governor to come to my district and listen to the concerns of our community to understand that it’s time to move Illinois forward.”

“Governor Rauner has proposed a series of changes to the state’s procurement process that could generate savings for the state, and I believe they are worth considering,” Madigan said. “I want to work with the governor to reduce the cost of state government while maintaining transparent and ethical conduct in contracting.”

Illinois enacted procurement reforms in 2009 following the impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The reforms created a system of checks to reduce conflicts of interest, including the use of chief procurement officers, state purchasing officers, procurement monitors, and the Procurement Policy Board.

In a letter to state Rep. Al Riley, chairman of the House State Government Administration Committee, Madigan urged members of the committee to immediately begin vetting Rauner’s proposed changes to the state procurement code, and consider the governor’s proposal to streamline the process and reduce costs. In doing so, the committee will thoroughly vet the current procurement process and determine how the Legislature could eliminate unnecessary costs while ensuring ethical conduct.

“Considering these changes is an important step in making state government run more efficiently and at a lower cost to taxpayers, but also in fostering cooperation between the governor and the Legislature,” Madigan said. “The state’s procurement process must provide adequate protections for taxpayer dollars, but we must always be open to considering ways to implement this process with reduced cost.”

Multiracial and multi-faith group will call on suburban residents to express solidarity with Muslim and Arab communities, urge that suburban towns pass immigrant sanctuary laws

On Sunday, North Suburban residents of all walks of life, ages, religions, genders, sexualities, abilities, ethnicities, races, etc. are coming together to build a vision for a society based on acceptance, peace and justice for all.

Participants will express their opposition to Trump’s Muslim ban and call on Chicago suburban communities to become sanctuary cities, committing not to cooperate with federal authorities in detaining and deporting immigrants.

They are coming together in wake of President Trump’s ongoing flurry of executive orders banning refugees and immigrants from Muslim and Arab countries, expanding deportation forces and threatening to punish sanctuary cities is worsening the climate of Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, misogyny, and discrimination against African-Americans, immigrants and refugees, LGBTQ people and those with disabilities.

Dilnaz Waraich, Muslim Community Center: “Each day it’s imperative we live in concern and know what our government is doing. It’s also imperative that we don’t live in fear but Live in hope, that as a collaboration we can make an impact. This march/rally on Sunday, Jan 29th is to empower all marginalized groups and give hope for the future. We CAN make a difference together.”

Lesley Williams, Jewish Voice for Peace: “At a time when refugees face terrible dangers abroad, it is unconscionable that Donald Trump would restrict their access to safety. Our local governments must stand in firm solidarity with our Muslim and Arab neighbors in showing their opposition to these immoral executive orders by passing sanctuary laws declaring their commitment not to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.”

Organizations with tables: Planned Parenthood, Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, Muslim Public Affairs Council, Open Communities , Evanston YWCA, League of Women Voters, National Organization of Women, Access Living, Equality Illinois, and Chicago Now

In the letter Jenkins writes to President-elect Trump that “Our nearly 38 million members nationwide and all older Americans are counting on you to protect their Medicare and Social Security benefits, protect their access to affordable health care, and to tackle the high cost of prescription drugs. Throughout the campaign, your statements on these important issues of health and financial security set you apart from many other candidates. Now, as you assume office, older Americans are looking to you to protect them from efforts to cut their benefits, increase their costs, or otherwise harm the crucial programs they rely on.”

The full text of the letter to President-elect Trump is below:
President-elect Donald J. Trump
Presidential Transition Headquarters
Washington, DC

Dear President-elect Trump:

Congratulations on your election. We look forward to working with you on your campaign promises to America’s seniors. Our nearly 38 million members nationwide and all older Americans are counting on you to protect their Medicare and Social Security benefits, protect their access to affordable health care, and to tackle the high cost of prescription drugs. Throughout the campaign, your statements on these important issues of health and financial security set you apart from many other candidates. Now, as you assume office, older Americans are looking to you to protect them from efforts to cut their benefits, increase their costs, or otherwise harm the crucial programs they rely on.

Medicare and Social Security
Our members count on these programs and they believe Social Security and Medicare must be protected and strengthened for today’s seniors and future generations. Unfortunately, some congressional leaders have discussed plans to use the health care debate to fundamentally change the Medicare program and undermine the contract made with generations of Americans. Proposals creating a defined contribution premium-support program; restricting access by raising the age of eligibility; or allowing hospitals and providers to arbitrarily charge consumers higher prices than Medicare; all betray the promise made to older Americans who have paid into Medicare their entire working lives. Indeed, these proposals do little to actually lower the cost of health care. Rather, they simply shift costs from Medicare onto individuals – many of whom cannot afford to pay more for their care. Again, we are ready to stand with you to oppose attempts to cut the Medicare program or otherwise harm seniors.

The average senior, with an annual income of under $25,000 and already spending one out of every six dollars on health care, counts on Social Security for the majority of their income and on Medicare for access to affordable health coverage. We will continue to oppose changes to current law that cut benefits, increase costs, or reduce the ability of these critical programs to deliver on their benefit promises. We urge you to continue to do so as well.

Prescription Drugs
Older Americans use prescription drugs more than any other segment of the U.S. population, typically on a chronic basis. In 2015, retail prices for 268 brand name prescription drugs widely used by older Americans increased by an average of 15.5 percent. In contrast, the general inflation rate was 0.1 percent over the same period. For older adults, affordable prescription drugs are critical in managing their chronic conditions, curing diseases, keeping them healthy and improving their quality of life. As you have stated, older Americans and the American people deserve a better deal on prescription drug costs.

Again, we stand ready to work with you to lower drug prices. For example, AARP supports providing the Secretary of Health and Human Services with the authority to negotiate lower drug prices on behalf of millions of Medicare beneficiaries. In addition, we agree with you that we should reduce barriers to better pricing competition worldwide by allowing for the safe importation of lower priced drugs. American seniors should not have to continue paying the highest Rx prices in the world.

Access to Health Care pre-Medicare
Millions of older Americans age 50 and older have gained access to affordable health coverage through important changes in the health insurance market, including the ban on pre-existing condition exclusions, the ban on lifetime and annual coverage limits, the restriction on charging working as well as retired older Americans many times more for insurance than younger persons (through important limits on age rating), and additional help for those who cannot afford insurance. We urge you to protect these vulnerable older Americans (many who have lost their jobs, are self-employed or own their own businesses) from losing health coverage by maintaining these important insurance market reforms in any new health legislation.

Medicaid and Long-Term Services and Supports
Medicaid serves as a critical safety net for millions of people in every state, including over 17 million children with disabilities, adults with disabilities and poor elderly who rely on vital Medicaid health and long-term care services. We urge you to continue to protect these vulnerable populations.

Efforts to reduce or cap Medicaid funding could endanger the health, safety, and care of millions of individuals who depend on the essential services provided through this program. Furthermore, caps would likely result in overwhelming cost-shifts to state governments unable to shoulder the costs of care without sufficient federal support. As your Administration considers changes to Medicaid, we urge that home and community-based services be available to individuals in the same way they can access nursing home funding. Any health law changes should ensure that more individuals are able to receive services in their homes and communities rather than costly institutional care.

We look forward to working with you to protect Medicare and Social Security, to lower prescription drug prices, and to maintain older American’s affordable access to quality health coverage. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, or have your staff contact Joyce A. Rogers, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs.

CHICAGO, IL – The state of Illinois could have earned $8.8 million more in investment income in the fourth quarter of 2016 as a result of the year-long budget impasse, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs said today.

“Following yesterday’s state of the state address, we can all agree that the state is in dire need of a full, balanced budget plan that brings fiscal stability to Illinois,” Frerichs said. “Our office continues to maximize returns on our investments, but we could be bringing in millions more in investment income with a sound budget in place.”

In 2016, the state of Illinois earned $68 million, but could have earned $30 million more in investment income. Threats of unplanned fund sweeps and the need to pay court-ordered bills required the treasurer’s office to make short-term investments that prioritized cash availability rather than longer-term, higher-yielding investment opportunities.

A six-month budget was passed on June 30, 2016. With no budget in place for a full-year, the treasurer’s office remains faced with a number of cash management and investment challenges. The treasurer’s office is responsible for managing the state’s investment portfolio, ensuring the liquidity, safety and diversification of investments, and producing earnings at or above industry standards.

Frerichs’ office increased the 30-day rate of return in 2016 compared to 2015.

During the budget impasse, the state increased its position in short-term, lower-yielding assets, such as overnight investments and money market funds, to ensureit had cash available in case of a multi-billion dollar fund sweep or another court-ordered increase in billings.

The analysis compares the state’s overall asset allocation and term maturities each month and compares to March 2015, pre-budget impasse.

LOS ANGELES, CA — The NAACP released the following statement following the announcement of the nominees for the 89th Annual Academy awards:

“The Academy Awards, a prestigious award show with great influence over the entertainment industry, has made significant progress in diversifying this year’s nominees. The NAACP is pleased to see that the nominees for best actor, best actress, best supporting actress and best supporting actor include actors of color. Together we have consistently demanded change throughout the entertainment industry overall and its practices and culture, and are beginning to receive it. More actors of color have received nominations for this year’s Academy Awards than ever before. This is a huge step in the right direction from where the Academy Awards was this time last year and we commend them for their efforts to acknowledge worthy performances. The NAACP Image Awards prides itself in recognizing the contributions that people of color have made to the acting and production industry each year. The 48th NAACP Image Awards shares 11 common nominees under the same categories with the 2017 Academy Awards. It took the Academy Awards 88 years to get here, but this is a move in the right direction.

There are far too many accomplished actors, directors and writers of color for the entertainment industry to continue to overlook them. We could no longer sit around and be silent about this and although there is still work to be done, the NAACP is happy that this year’s Academy Awards has taken a step in recognizing the work that actors of color bring to this industry as a whole.”

ISBE held three public hearings in different parts of the state to gather feedback on spending needs and priorities. ISBE formulated its budget recommendations based on the testimony of educators, students, and community members and adhered to three key principles: aligning with ISBE’s goals; advocating for the needs of children across the state, as identified through requests from the field; and recognizing the need for universal and differentiated support to meet the unique needs of each and every child in the state.

“The budget request approved by ISBE today strives to meet the needs of students, families, and school districts,” said State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D. “ISBE remains committed to the vision of Illinois as a state of whole, healthy children nested in whole, healthy systems supporting communities wherein all citizens are socially and economically secure. Every school district in Illinois is advocating for the resources they need to educate and care for every student in their community. This request represents an investment in our children, our communities, and our state. We look forward to sharing local stories and successes with the General Assembly as they consider this request.”

ISBE recommends fully funding General State Aid (GSA) in FY 2018 at the Foundation Level of $6,119 per student, while maintaining the current GSA appropriation of $5.078 billion. The Foundation Level represents the mandated minimum level of funding required to meet the basic education needs of one student in the Illinois pre-K through 12th grade public school system.

Other highlights from the budget request approved by ISBE today include:

· An increase of $50 million for Early Childhood Education, as incorporated into the federal Preschool Expansion grant agreement to increase access to quality, effective services for the most at-risk children in the state;

· An increase of $38.4 million to fully fund bilingual education programs serving the growing number of English Learners in the state; and

· Increases in funding to support special education, arts and foreign language programs, agricultural education, broadband expansion and other digital technology enhancements, Career and Technical Education, teacher mentoring and diverse educator recruitment, Advanced Placement exam fees for low-income students, and other critical investments that contribute to the college and career success of all Illinois students.

ISBE will submit its recommended budget to the Illinois General Assembly before Feb. 17.

Unemployment Rates Remain Higher than National Average in All 14 Illinois Metro Areas

CHICAGO, IL –All of Illinois’ metropolitan (metro) areas experienced declines in their over-the-year unemployment rate. Eight of the metro areas had increases in nonfarm jobs and six reported declines, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).

“Overall job growth continues to lag behind the national average,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “We’re adding jobs at a slower pace now than we were at the beginning of 2016.”

Not seasonally adjusted data compares December 2016 with December 2015. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 5.6 percent in December 2016 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.5 percent in December 2016 and 10.6 percent in January 2010 at its peak. The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and looking for work, and is not tied to collecting unemployment insurance benefits.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Metropolitan Area

Dec.

2016

Dec.

2015

Over-the-Year Change

Bloomington

5.0%

5.6%

-0.6

Carbondale-Marion

5.8%

6.3%

-0.5

Champaign-Urbana

4.9%

5.7%

-0.8

Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights

5.4%

5.5%

-0.1

Danville

7.2%

7.7%

-0.5

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL

5.5%

5.9%

-0.4

Decatur

6.4%

7.5%

-1.1

Elgin

5.7%

6.4%

-0.7

Kankakee

6.5%

7.3%

-0.8

Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI

5.3%

5.9%

-0.6

Peoria

6.6%

7.3%

-0.7

Rockford

6.5%

7.5%

-1.0

Springfield

4.9%

5.6%

-0.7

St. Louis (IL-Section)

5.3%

6.3%

-1.0

Illinois Statewide

5.6%

6.0%

-0.4

* Data subject to revision.

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – December 2016

Metropolitan Area

Dec.
2016*

Dec.
2015**

Over-the-Year Change

Bloomington MSA

94,000

95,100

-1,100

Carbondale-Marion MSA

56,600

59,100

-2,500

Champaign-Urbana MSA

111,500

110,500

1,000

Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division

3,722,200

3,699,500

22,700

Danville MSA

29,200

29,500

-300

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA

179,200

181,100

-1,900

Decatur MSA

51,500

51,900

-400

Elgin Metro Division

258,600

255,900

2,700

Kankakee MSA

46,300

45,600

700

Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division

411,100

406,300

4,800

Peoria MSA

175,700

178,700

-3,000

Rockford MSA

155,900

153,200

2,700

Springfield MSA

115,800

114,500

1,300

Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA

238,700

236,600

2,100

Illinois Statewide

6,045,700

6,017,000

28,700

*Preliminary **Revised

(continued)

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 5.3 percent in December 2016 from 5.9 percent in December 2015. The last time the December rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2006 when it was 4.4 percent. For the month of December 2016, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 24,400.

Total nonfarm employment increased +4,800 compared to December 2015. Professional-Business Services (+4,500), Wholesale Trade (+1,400), and Manufacturing (+1,400) sectors reported the largest payroll gains. The Leisure-Hospitality
(-2,500) and Financial Activities (-1,100) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.

Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 5.4 percent in December 2016 from 5.5 percent in December 2015. The last time the December rate was equal to or lower was in 2007 when it was 5.2 percent. For the month of December 2016, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 203,300.

Total nonfarm employment increased +22,700 compared to December 2015. Professional-Business Services (+13,800) and Leisure-Hospitality (+10,400) reported the largest payroll gains. The Manufacturing (-5,100), Financial Activities
(-2,700), Construction (-1,700), and Educational-Health Services (-1,600) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.

Elgin, IL Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 5.7 percent in December 2016 from 6.4 percent in December 2015. The last time the December rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2007 when it was 5.4 percent. For the month of December 2016, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 18,500.

Total nonfarm employment increased +2,700 compared to December 2015. Professional-Business Services (+3,300), Retail Trade (+800), and Construction (+700) reported the largest payroll gains. Leisure-Hospitality (-1,300) and Manufacturing (-900) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.

Note:Monthly 2015 unemployment rates and total non-farm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February 2016, as required by the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).Comments and tables distributed for prior metro area news releases should be discarded as any records or historical analysis previously cited may no longer be valid.

LOS ANGELES, CA – Harvard Law professor Charles J. Ogletree, Jr., who taught Barack and Michelle Obama, will be honored with the prestigious NAACP Chairman’s Award which is bestowed in recognition of individuals who demonstrate exemplary public service and use their distinct platforms to create agents of change. Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors will present Ogletree with the award at the 48th NAACP Image Awards on February 11, 2017 live at 9 p.m. /8 p.m. central on TV One.

Ogletree Jr. receives the honor in recognition of his impressive work in the field of education as a prominent legal theorist who works to secure equal rights guaranteed by the Constitution for everyone, and for his work as founder of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice which ensures that ‘Education Does Not Skip This Generation.’

“It is a privilege to honor Professor Ogletree, an accomplished educator, author, and justice advocate whose distinguished community service and charitable efforts spotlight the importance of education and activism,” stated Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors. “He has not forgotten what it is like to be a person of color in America – his contribution to society exemplifies what this award symbolizes.”

Professor Ogletree opened The Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice in September 2005 as a tribute to the legendary civil rights lawyers and teachers such as Thurgood Marshall and Oliver Hill. The Institute has engaged in a wide range of important educational, legal, and policy issues for the past 12 years to carry out its mission. He is the author of several important books on race and justice, most recently, he co-edited The Enduring Legacy of Rodriguez: Creating New Pathways to Equal Educational Opportunity with Professor Kimberly Jenkins Robinson of University of Richmond School of Law.

Additional publications include: All Deliberate Speed: Reflections on the First Half-Century of Brown v. Board of Education, The Presumption of Guilt: The Arrest of Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Race, Class, and Crime in America, and Beyond the Rodney King Story: An Investigation of Police Conduct in Minority Communities (co-authored); and several publications co-edited with Professor Austin Sarat of Amherst College titled: Punishment in Popular Culture, Life without Parole: America’s New Death Penalty?, The Road to Abolition: The Future of Capital Punishment in the United States, When Law Fails: Making Sense of Miscarriages of Justice, and From Lynch Mobs to the Killing State: Race and the Death Penalty in America.

For additional information and the latest news, please visit the official NAACP Image Awards website at http://www.naacpimageawards.net.

San Antonio, TX(BlackNews.com) – A Black Muslim, an ex-convict, a gifted orator, a skilled debater who stands as one of the most intelligent and equally controversial figures of the 1960s, Malcolm X is a cultural Icon. In an attempt to introduce or re-introduce him to a generation of socially conscious and politically active young Black men and women in America, KuumbaNia Productions and 9Logic Films present; Message to The People: A Story of Malcolm X. This independent film is a historical dramatization based on the life and words of Malcolm also known as El Hajj Malik El Shabazz.

Originally written as a stage production, Message to the People takes us through the life of Malcolm from a very personal, first person perspective. The words that brother Malcolm spoke yesterday, the ideas he expressed yesterday are relevant and related to the issues that are being addressed today, says Baba

Aundar, a cultural activist who wrote, produced and also portrays Malcolm X in the film. The views of Malcolm expressed in the film, challenge the notion that integration was the best solution for Black Americans. A story of Malcolm X encourages viewers to take a look in the mirror and ask hard questions about the choices we make as individuals as well as a community

With a figure as strong and outspoken as Malcolm, we did not want to sensor his views or tone down his language in any way. So we chose to release it independently to maintain creative control and to bring you the raw and uncut Malcolm we’ve come to admire, according to Born Logic Allah, the director and coproducer of the film.

Largely self-financed, this movie is 85% complete. Both Aundar and Born Logic have created a Kickstarter- crowdfunding campaign to raise the money needed to complete this project. Those interested can learn more and contribute to the film here: http://bit.ly/malcolmXkickstarter

This one hour production is set to hit the web in March of 2017 and select theaters in San Antonio, TX where the film was recorded. As a straight to DVD release and digital download, Message to the People: A Story of Malcolm X will also have an original music soundtrack to compliment the movie. With the recent success of Hollywood and Independently produced African American films being released as of late, Message to the People is another one to add to your must see list. 9Logic is a Black-owned video marketing & production company based in San Antonio Texas.

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Welcome to CopyLine Magazine! The first issue of CopyLine Magazine was published in November, 1990, by Editor & Publisher Juanita Bratcher. CopyLine’s main focus is on the political arena – to inform our readers and analyze many of the pressing issues of the day - controversial or otherwise. Our objectives are clear – to keep you abreast of political happenings and maneuvering in the political arena, by reporting and providing provocative commentaries on various issues. For more about CopyLine Magazine, CopyLine Blog, and CopyLine Television/Video, please visit juanitabratcher.com, copylinemagazine.com, and oneononetelevision.com. Bratcher has been a News/Reporter, Author, Publisher, and Journalist for 33 years. She is the author of six books, including “Harold: The Making of a Big City Mayor” (Harold Washington), Chicago’s first African-American mayor; and “Beyond the Boardroom: Empowering a New Generation of Leaders,” about John Herman Stroger, Jr., the first African-American elected President of the Cook County Board. Bratcher is also a Poet/Songwriter, with 17 records – produced by HillTop Records of Hollywood, California. Juanita Bratcher Publisher